A TRIAL date has been set for four suspects who have been charged with conspiring to steal up to 20 cars in Warrington.

It comes after detectives from Cheshire Police were authorised to charge the men following an investigation into a series of reported burglaries in the town.

On September 26, a team of officers from Cheshire Police and Greater Manchester Police executed warrants at three addresses in Manchester and Ashton-under-Lyne.

This led to the arrest of three men, with a fourth man arrested at HMP Berwyn and taken into police custody.

Following questioning, Brandon Day, aged 20 and of Longton Road, Manchester, and Aaron Gee, aged 20 and of Victoria Avenue East, Manchester, were charged.

Also charged were Joshua Irving, aged 21 and of HMP Berwyn, and Mason Kenny, aged 18 and of Lodge Street, Ashton-under-Lyne.

All four have been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

The charges relate to 14 burglaries – 13 in Warrington and one in Middlewich – which occurred between March 24 and April 20 this year.

Police say eight vehicles were stolen during the incidents, however the quartet are alleged to have conspired to steal 20 cars, according to court documents.

The majority of cars are Mercedes-Benz models, while others include Audi, BMW, Skoda, Land Rover, Mini, Volkswagen and Seat.

The Warrington burglaries were reported in Cinnamon Brow, Hood Manor, Whittle Hall, Westbrook, Penketh, Bruche, Fearnhead, Winwick, Appleton and Callands.

All four men were remanded in police custody to appear before Chester Magistrates’ Court the following day, with the case sent to Chester Crown Court.

They appeared before the latter court recently for a plea and trial preparation hearing, with Day, Gee and Kenny all entering not guilty pleas.

No pleas were entered by Irving, with his plea hearing adjourned until November 11.

For the other three defendants, a trial date was set for the week commencing February 24 next year.

All four have been further remanded in custody ahead of their next court appearance dates.